DfE Pulls Bradford's One In A Million Free School Funding One Week Before Opening

Students in Bradford have been left without a school one week before the start of term, after the government pulled funding at the last minute.

The 'One in a Million' free school in Bradford, Yorkshire, was due to open on 3 September, but the Department for Education (DfE) told the school's founders the finance was being withdrawn over the weekend.

Both the DfE and the school's backers have refused to accept responsibility for the fiasco.

Matthew Band, chief executive of the One In A Million charity behind the secondary school, said pupil enrolment was "at 100% capacity" when the free school was given the go-ahead by the DfE.

"Yet within 10 months, due to the DfE’s processes and inability to sign off Funding Agreement and secure our facilities, they have put the project at risk," he added. "Obviously we are amazed at this decision particularly at such a late stage."

Members of the public took to Twitter to point the finger of blame towards the DfE:

The DfE has said the school had not met the agreed conditions, which led to the funding being withdrawn.

A statement from the department read:

"Setting up a Free School is a difficult task and we thank One in a Million for all their hard work.

Before any new schools open their doors, we have to be sure that all the conditions we set have been met. Making certain that new schools raise standards is one of the reasons why our Free Schools have been so popular with families across England. We still hope that One in a Million will open in 2013."

Bradford City footballer Wayne Jacobs, co-founder of One In A Million, said he was shocked at the announcement.

"We are completely baffled and stunned at this decision by the DfE and absolutely devastated for the parents, children and staff of the One in a Million Free School."